Kimchi Fried Rice Recipe (Korean Fried Rice)

Packed with spicy kimchi, crispy pieces of fried pork, pepper, garlic and veggies, this Kimchi Fried Rice is super easy to make and absolutely incredible. It can be on the table in under 20 minutes!

This recipe was originally published in April 2017. It has been updated for content and photos.

This may be the best fried rice I’ve ever made. Scratch that. This Kimchi Fried Rice IS the best fried rice I’ve ever made.

The kimchi adds the perfect amount of fermented tangy, spicy goodness to the rice, while the fatty pork balances out the spice and the soy sauce adds the perfect umami flavor.

It’s just so good. Like so, so good. And really, it takes less than 20 minutes. Seriously. Less than 20 minutes. I don’t even have time to take a nap while it cooks.

And topped with an egg, I just eat this stuff as a meal. Or have it as a side. That’s what normal people do (what is normal, really?).

Why This Recipe Works

Sliced pieces of kimchi add a spicy, tangy flavor to the fried rice;

The salt pork adds the perfect meaty balance (because who doesn’t want a little meatiness in all their food) and also provides the fat content needed to fry the rice;

Using day old rice makes the perfect fried rice;

The rice only needs to cook for a couple minutes – it’s an easy meal to have on the table quickly;

Topping it with a fried egg just takes it over the edge.

The Ingredients

First off, the best rice for Kimchi Fried Rice is day old white rice. Using fresh cooked steamed rice tends to lead to mushy fried rice.

Learn how to make the perfect pot of rice from Bon Appetit. It really is the perfect pot of rice.

If you want to learn to make your own kimchi, check out this Kimchi Recipe from Feasting at Home.

All that said, the ingredients should all be easy to find. Most grocery stores carry kimchi now. You can also find it at an Asian market if you have one close by. Plus, I’ve included links to buy all these ingredients in the recipe card – scroll down to get them.

Cooked white rice

Kimchi

Garlic

Peas

Chicken broth

White pepper

Black pepper

Soy sauce

Sesame oil

How to Make Kimchi Fried Rice

Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the salt pork and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes.

Add the kimchi and garlic, stir fry about 30 seconds, then add the peas.

Stir fry for 1 minute and add the rice. Fold ingredients into rice, ensuring you don’t over mix. Over mixing can turn your rice into mush.

Garnish with green onions, top with a fried egg (optional but highly, highly recommended) and serve. But seriously, top with a fried egg.

Expert Tips

Day old steamed white rice is the best rice to use. Using fresh cooked rice can cause your fried rice to be mushy. You can also substitute brown rice, jasmine rice or basmati rice for the white rice.

Make sure the salt pork is crispy before adding the kimchi and garlic. If it starts to smoke, turn down the heat slightly. Be sure to turn it back up before adding the rest of the ingredients.

Crumbled bacon can be substituted for the salt pork.

Don’t over-mix the rice. If it is mixed too much, you run the risk of it turning into mush.

Variations for Kimchi Fried Rice

Add 6 ounces of spam cut in 1/2 to 1″ chunks part of the way through cooking the salt pork. You may want to reduce the soy sauce to 1 tbsp. because the spam tends to be salty;

Add diced carrots, zucchini, bok choy, or other small cut vegetables when adding the kimchi. Stir fry quickly until cooked, but still crispy (about 1-3 minutes, depending on the size of the vegetable);

Add chicken, pork, tofu or shrimp to the rice. You can add these protein when cooking the salt pork and/or have added the kimchi and peas.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Kimchi Fried Rice last? Kimchi fried rice will last stored in the a covered container in the fridge for 3-5 days.

Is Kimchi Fried Rice spicy? It depends on how spicy the kimchi is. If the kimchi you have purchased is spicy, the fried rice will be spicier. Purchase mild kimchi if you prefer a mild kimchi fried rice. You can also add additional spice if you’d like a spicier dish.

Can I freeze Kimchi Fried Rice?The rice can be frozen in a freezer safe container or bag and stored for 3-6 months. However, note that thawed out rice will likely be slightly mushy.

Can kimchi be heated? You can eat kimchi raw, but it can also be heated if using in a dish. Or if you prefer warm food.

Reader Interactions

Comments

I was JUST writing down fried rice on my weekly meal plan. The idea of kimchi fried rice has me SO excited. I love salt pork when I find it – but you are right to make sure it’s crispy! It’s fantastic when crispy, but I am not a fan when it’s not. Thank you so much for the kimchi inspiration – with a little fresh zucchini & carrots tossed in you just leveled up my leftover rice plan! 😀

This was the BEST fried rice I have ever made!!!! I usually end up with something that is a bit mushy and not really packed with flavor. THIS IS PERFECT!!! I loved the spice of the kimchi but the egg was really what turned this into amazingness! When the yolk broke all over the rice. SO GOOD!

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Hi there. I’m Danielle and I love food. Here you’ll find easy-to-make recipes using ingredients from cuisines all around the world. More…

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